System &amp; process for precious metal lamination to an alternative material

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture having an alternative material and a precious material making this unique in bonding materials that are significantly dissimilar having an alternative material having an integral securing area and a laminate of precious material connected at the securing area of the alternative material having a contoured shape substantially matching a shape of the first alternative material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/766,093 filed Feb. 18, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to improvements in the attachment of one type of material to another. More particularly, the present invention provides a process and system whereby a precious metal can be attached to another material that is not as valuable as the first; this less valuable material defined by the jewelry industry as “alternative,” “contemporary,” or “non-traditional.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Just prior to the formation of Spectore Corp in 1983, Edward Rosenberg (Spectore's founder) was one of, if not the only American to pioneer and introduce refractory metals to the jewelry industry. Through the last 30 years contemporary materials (including but not limited to: the entire family of refractory metals titanium, niobium, zirconium, and tantalum as well as stainless steel, chrome cobalt and others deemed as alternative, contemporary, and new age materials) grew to become a staple accepted fine and fashion jewelry, gift and accessory material. The onset of inflation, the meteoric rise in precious metal prices for such as gold, platinum, silver, palladium have further increased in cost to such an extent that the average consumer finds it difficult to purchase items made purely of the aforementioned. As a consequence, jewelry retailers and customers have been forced by current market trends to cut back on their purchasing of now highly expensive items; thus, articles having precious metals such as rings, bracelets, jewelry, consumer products, giftware, personal and table top accessories, watches, and any form of decorative encasements have experienced a general decline in their respective market shares.

Because of this many have begun to purchase items having materials outside of the traditional materials used in the industry; these are known in the common parlance of the industry as alternative materials. These alternatives were introduced and or promoted by manufacturers stung by their falling sales; of these, Spectore Corporation was one of the principal if not the only pioneer of AM going back as early as 1980. Thus, a growing number of manufacturers have followed suit in that they rightly reacted to the cost driven decline by shifting production to articles containing tungsten, titanium, stainless steel, surgical stainless steel, platifina or rhodium based jewelry and many other types of alternative materials. As a result, customers now have the choice of articles using AM in providing the benefit of an inert material which is incredibly compatible with the skin and is highly durable.

However, people still like precious metal jewelry and there is still a great demand for these items if some solution to their exorbitant cost could be found. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a solution to this problem that overcomes the cited deficiencies of high upfront cost whilst still providing a valuable, precious metal article that conveys value over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An article of manufacture having an alternative material and a precious material making this unique in bonding materials that are significantly dissimilar comprising:

-   -   an alternative material having         -   an integral securing area     -   a laminate of precious material connected at the securing area         of the alternative material having     -   a contoured shape substantially matching a shape of the first         alternative material.         In another aspect,     -   a portion of the surface of the laminate of the precious metal         matching the contour of the integral securing area of the         alternative material.         In another aspect, wherein the laminate of precious material is         from the group consisting of: gold (all Karats), silver,         platinum, palladium, any alloy of gold, any alloy of silver, any         alloy of platinum, and any alloy of palladium.         In another aspect, wherein the alternative material is from the         group consisting of: titanium, all refractories         (Niobium/columbium), zirconium, Tantalum, stainless steel,         chrome cobalt, Tungsten carbide, and ceramics.         In another aspect, wherein the integral securing area is from         the group consisting of: an undercut, a hole, a pin and other         securing area.

A process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material comprising the steps of:

creating an alternative material having a first surface that matches a precious metal second surface

creating a precious metal material having a second surface that matches an alternative material first surface and

attaching the precious metal material second surface to the alternative material first surface.

In another aspect,

providing a precious metal portion

providing an alternative material portion and

pressing the precious metal portion to the alternative metal portion thereby creating a combination of materials.

In another aspect, cutting the combination to an appropriate size and shape. In another aspect, raising the temperature on the combination so that it becomes super ductile whilst simultaneously raising pressure thereon. In another aspect, shaping the combination. In another aspect, wherein the step of shaping the combination is either rolling or extrusion. In another aspect, finishing the combination with polishers. 1. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

-   -   using an interface material as a holding tool to hold the pieces         together until finalized.         In another aspect, shaping the combination.         In another aspect, wherein the step of shaping the combination         is either rolling or extrusion.         In another aspect, finishing the combination with polishers.         In another aspect, wherein the attaching the precious metal         material comprises processes from the group consisting of:         flame, oven, induction, convection, friction, heat pressure         heating during pressing, drawing and/or extruding process.

An article of manufacture a portion of which has a surface having an integral attachment to another device such that the device comprises:

-   -   an alternative material having         -   an integral securing area of the alternative material     -   a laminate of precious material connected at the securing area         of the alternative material having         -   a contoured shape substantially matching a shape of the             alternative material.             In another aspect, wherein the integral attachment is from             the group consisting of: woodworking adhesive, screws, bolt             nut, welding, heat treatment, plastic or similar protrusion,             and slot insertion.             In another aspect, wherein the integral securing area is             from the group consisting of: an undercut, a hole, a pin and             other securing area.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 presents a front elevation view of a lamination layer and an article to be laminated in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 presents a front elevation view of a gold overlay lamination as taught in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a bulk Titanium component that is to be laminated as taught in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 presents an isometric view of a ring having the lamination as taught in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 presents an isometric view of two sets of rings having the lamination as taught in an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 presents a flowchart having the process for precious metal lamination to an alternative material.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each individual figure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The concept taught herein is a laminated precious metal having matching contours with an alternative material found underneath. A securing area (hole, undercut, pin etc) or extended surface on the one or more sides (anywhere on piece) of the alternative material forms a convenient support piece for attachment of the top precious metal surface. Thus, this securing area(s) can be found anywhere about the surface that one using this concept would find it useful to locate a support surface about the alternative material article to be overlaid.

FIG. 1 presents a front view of an embodiment having a lamination and an article to be laminated. FIG. 1 has a concave lamination or overlay 1 that is to be attached to an article 3. The lamination 1 is a solid piece of precious metal such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium (an alloy of gold, an alloy of silver, an alloy of platinum, and an alloy of palladium) that has a concave curved shape; additionally, the lamination or overlay 1 has an inner surface 2 matching the top outer curved surface. This inner surface 2 has a flat shape surface 5 on either end. This flat surface 5 meets the concave inner surface 2 along an edge 8 on either side. The flat surface 5 ends at an edge 9 that meets a side flat surface F that is perpendicular to the first one 5 on either side. The side flat surface F meets the top curved surface 1 at an edge 10 on either side.

The article 3 to be laminated or overlaid is a solid piece of alternative material such as stainless steel, titanium, rhodium or similar materials. It has a convex curved surface 4 that matches the contours of the concavity 2 of the precious metal laminate or overlay 1. The edge 8 of the concave laminate 1 has a corresponding edge 11 that is integral with the convex curved surface 4 on either side of the alternative material. Similarly, the flat surface 5 on either side of the laminate or overlay 1 has a corresponding flat surface 6 or securing area on the alternative material that meets the inner disposed edge 11 and runs parallel to the laminate's surface 5 on either side. Finally, the article 3 has a face F that runs perpendicular to the surface 6 and is integral with it along an edge 12 on either side. Finally, the two faces F of the article to be laminated 3, have a slightly concave surface 3 that connects the two together. It should be understood that the description of surfaces, angles, and directions are adaptable to various configurations, sizes and dispositions and should be taken as exemplary only and not as limiting the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 presents a front view of a gold (or other precious metal) overlay lamination as taught in an embodiment. The exemplary gold overlay 1 is a solid piece of gold have an exemplary thickness of 0.4 mm. It should be understood that the description of sizes should be taken as exemplary only and not as limiting the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 present a front view of a bulk Titanium component that is to be laminated as taught in an embodiment. The bulk Titanium component 3 has exemplary dimensions of 2 mm in height from one convex portion to another and 7 mm width between the two flat surfaces F. Additionally, the securing areas or flat portions on either side have an exemplary width of 0.4 mm and a height of 0.6 mm. The convex surface on the bottom of the component 3 has a radial dimension of a predetermined amount (31.27 Rads).

FIG. 4 presents an isometric view of a ring having the lamination as taught in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 presents an isometric view of two sets of rings having the lamination as taught in an embodiment.

Further Considerations

The materials are bonded and/or Laminated by pressing, drawing, and/or extruding the materials in any or all combinations. This may be done with heat and in two or more material layers alternating in any sequence. The materials may also, at the same time or afterward, be further extruded, drawn or formed in a die or mold having the contours that correspond with the contours of an alternative material surface

The placement of the alternative material piece underneath the precious metal is done in any sequence necessary to reach the final goal; i.e., gold to titanium to cobalt to silver to black titanium to platinum and to titanium.

It should be understood that the securing area taught herein is a flat surface extending from the sides of the article being manufactured. However, as a substitute securing area an undercut, a pin, a hole or similar securing device is useable as an alternative so as to attach the two or more parts together.

Lamination Process

FIG. 6 presents a flowchart having the Process for Precious metal Lamination to an Alternative material. An alternative material surface is created matching the underside (or vice versa) of the precious metal and the same process is used to create the precious metal matching the alternative material underneath. It should be understood that the words atop, underside and similar terminology only apply to the figures appended herein. In fact, the physical positioning or arrangement of the two materials, precious metal and AM is unimportant, top, bottom, side, etcetera are all possible, what is important is the attachment of the two precious metal to the AM using the following process shown in FIG. 6. The below numbering corresponds to the numbering of steps indicated in FIG. 6.

-   -   20. First the precious metal overlay (or subsurface) and the         alternative/contemporary material comes in any form of sheet,         tube, rod, plate or wire;     -   21. Press the two materials together in tube, rod, sheet or         other form together using a pressing machine or hand tools (jig,         fixture, etc.);     -   22. Cut tube, rod, sheet or other form to an appropriate size         and shape;     -   23. Make the temperature anywhere from room temperature to         1,000° F. (−300 degrees, i.e., 700) to 2,000 degrees (+600         degrees 2600) such that the materials become super ductile         whilst increasing the pressure (800,000 psi±250,000 psi) on the         material;     -   24. An optional interface material is used as a sticking tool to         hold the pieces together until finalized. The interface material         such as copper is burnt off or vaporized;     -   25. Once combined together into a unit the piece is rolled or         extruded with singular or repetitive steps; and     -   26. Finishing of the piece with polishers.

This type of lamination (including co-extrusion) of precious metals gold (all Karats), silver, platinum and palladium, to what is defined as contemporary or alternative metals; specifically, titanium and all refractories (Niobium/columbium), zirconium, and Tantalum), stainless steel, chrome cobalt, Tungsten carbide, ceramics, etcetera. This technique applies to consumer products and/or further, for jewelry, giftware, personal and table top accessories, watches, and any form of decorative encasements.

The combined piece made of precious metal and an alternative material can be attached to giftware, accessories wherein the attachment is through woodworking adhesive, screws, bolt nut, welding, heat treatment, plastic or similar protrusion, and slot insertion.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture having an alternative material and a precious material making this unique in bonding materials that are significantly dissimilar comprising: an alternative material having an integral securing area; and a laminate of precious material connected at the integral securing area of the alternative material having a contoured shape substantially matching a shape of the alternative material.
 2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, further comprising: a portion of a surface of the laminate of precious metal matching the contour of the integral securing area of the alternative material.
 3. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the laminate of precious material is from a group consisting of: gold (all Karats), silver, platinum, palladium, any alloy of gold, any alloy of silver, any alloy of platinum, and any alloy of palladium.
 4. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the alternative material is from a group consisting of: titanium, all refractories (Niobium/columbium), zirconium, Tantalum, stainless steel, chrome cobalt, Tungsten carbide, and ceramics.
 5. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the integral securing area is from a group consisting of: an undercut, a hole, a pin and other securing area.
 6. A process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material comprising the steps of: creating an alternative material having a first surface that matches a precious metal second surface; creating a precious metal material having a second surface that matches an alternative material first surface; and attaching the second surface of the precious metal material to the alternative material first surface.
 7. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 6, wherein the creating and attaching steps further comprise the steps of: providing a precious metal portion; providing an alternative material portion; and pressing the precious metal portion to the alternative material portion thereby creating a combination of materials.
 8. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: cutting the combination to an appropriate size and shape.
 9. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: raising the temperature on the combination so that it becomes super ductile whilst simultaneously raising pressure thereon.
 10. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: shaping the combination.
 11. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 10, wherein the step of shaping the combination is either rolling or extrusion.
 12. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 10, further comprising the step of: finishing the combination with polishers.
 13. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: using an interface material as a holding tool to hold the pieces together until finalized.
 14. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: shaping the combination.
 15. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 14, wherein the step of shaping the combination is either rolling or extrusion.
 16. The process for attaching a precious metal to an alternative material of claim 15, further comprising the step of: finishing the combination with polishers.
 17. The process of claim 6, wherein the attaching the precious metal material comprises processes from a group consisting of: flame, oven, induction, convection, friction, heat pressure heating during pressing, drawing and/or extruding process.
 18. An article of manufacture a portion of which has a surface having an integral attachment to another device such that the device comprises: an alternative material having an integral securing area of the alternative material; and a laminate of precious material connected at the integral securing area of the alternative material having a contoured shape substantially matching a shape of the alternative material.
 19. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the integral attachment is from a group consisting of: woodworking adhesive, screws, bolt nut, welding, heat treatment, plastic or similar protrusion, and slot insertion.
 20. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the integral securing area is from a group consisting of: an undercut, a hole, a pin, and other securing area. 